Top 10 Creative Job Search Secrets

Sometimes it pays to get creative, especially when the old tried and true tactics are not working so well. If you are like a lot of people nowadays, finding a new job or career is proving to be a challenging task. Let some new and creative technology help you out.

It used to be where you could hand out a few business cards, mail out a handful of resumes and the offers would come. Those days are no longer. You now need to use any and every tool available to you in your job hunt.

Here are three that should be in your arsenal: Google Alters, KnowEm, and Canvassing. If any of these are unfamiliar to you you'll definitely want to check them out for some useful information.

Remember, the information age has made things harder for job seekers because competition for positions has increased dramatically. However, it is also true that there are a multitude of new ways to network and search for careers, also thanks to the Internet. 

Skills to Put on a Resume

Sitting down to write a resume can be an intimidating experience. You need to decide on a format, a branding statement, how to list your work experience, and of course, how to highlight your skills. There are certain skills to put on a resume that will enhance your chances of landing an interview. 

Research

Many larger companies now use applicant tracking systems which will scan for the right keywords and presort resumes. If your resume doesn't have the right keywords human eyes may never read it. Researching and including the right skills can go a long way to remedying this situation. As a professional resume writer much of my time in the initial drafting stage is spent researching the appropriate key skills to include in a client's resume.

Every profession has it's own key skills. If you're in banking, skills like asset based lending, asset management, and branch operations should probably find their way onto your resume. If you are in hospitality the terms amenities, back-of-the-house operations, and catering operations are common. How about IT? Then you should use application development, benchmarking, and capacity planning. 

However, industry specific skills are not the only type you should include. Chances are your next job will not be precisely like your last, so you need skills that will move from job to job with you. The focus should be on those skills that are transferable to multiple jobs making you viable to a variety of employers.

List your skills the right way by reinforcing them.

Including transferable skills on your resume allows you to highlight those abilities that have worked for you in the past and contribute to a company or firm's success in the future. However, you can't just list these skills verbatim in a summary section and hope hiring managers believe you. Once you claim a skill you need your resume to reinforce it.

Let's say you list  excellent communication skills in your resume summary. Then, in your work history you mention how you helped draft the company training manual for new employees. This pairing creates a powerful image to a potential employer. For each skill you list, do your best to provide evidence later on in your resume to reinforce the claim. This is part of the overall branding process that is vitally important in a tight job market.

A Tip for Older Job Seekers: Keep it Current

The longer your career, the longer the list of  skills you have acquired. Be sure to narrowly focus on those skills that target your currently desired position. According to a study by Urban Institute, for those 62 and older, the chance of finding a job within 12 months is just18 percent. That's reason enough to take care when updating your resume that you aren't signaling to potential employers that you're past your employable prime.

If you are in the IT field don't list the fact that you know Lotus 123. (Yes, I have seen this on resumes countless times!) While you may have spent considerable time and energy learning and using this program it is outdated. Worse still, it dates you. Take care to focus on skills that are either timeless or current to within the past ten years.

In order to stand out from the crowd you need to know what skills to put on a resume. The exact skills will vary depending on the brand you are trying to create, but there are some general one that easily transfer to just about any position. Below is a list to get you started, and as always, if you'd like me to look over what you have - completely risk free- just shoot me and email. I'd love to help.

• Team Orientation
• Communication
• Leadership Skills
• Problem Solving 
• Ability to Self-Manage and Self-Motivated
• Work Ethic
• Computer Skills
• Languages Known 
• Great people skills
• Outstanding customer handling
• Motivated
• Enjoy helping people
• Willing to learn
• Energetic
• Fun attitude
• Flexible
• Enthusiasm to motivate
• Great communications skills
• Enjoy working with the public and in a team environment
• Strong leadership personality
• Entrepreneurial professional

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What is The Difference Between a CV and a Resume

The Difference Between CV and Resume Writing is Significant

When applying for a job, potential employers will ask you to submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). These documents detail your work history, awards and academic achievements. The goal of each is to put forward your qualifications. A resume or CV will be the first thing that a potential employer looks at. Clearly then, it is important to include the most impressive and appropriate document. However, the question becomes which to send? What is the difference between a CV and a resume?  Resumes Resumes need to be an easily scannable document. An easy-to-scan format will go a long way towards getting a resume through the initial readers. Limit the amount of fancy formatting and when in doubt, stick with simple and easy to read. A compelling resume should have four standard sections: Objective, Summary, Work History and Education. There should be enough information in the resume to sell the applicant, but no more. The general length is one page. Potential employers need to understand what the applicant is capable of doing. Instead of listing just the job specs, list achievements, what has been accomplished above and beyond. Job responsibilities could apply to anyone who has held that particular job. They don't single the job applicant out as different, better and more capable than the rest. It is also important to realize that there is more than one resume format. Most job seekers try to make their professional life fit into a chronological format, but it is not the best option for everyone. Another popular format is the skills-based resume. This allows the focus to be on abilities and potential, not just past achievements. Another option that is good for recent graduates is the education-based resume. There is a resume format for everyone. CV's A CV tends to be longer than a traditional resume and includes a detailed listing of a person's professional and academic history. A CV will include any position or job one has held, a complete list of academic credentials and achievements, and  information on publications. CVs can be many pages long, occasionaly up to 10 pages. Normally CVs are used in the medical and academic field. The difference between  CV and resume writing is significant both in terms of style and substance and it pays to keep this in mind when applying for a new job.

Deduct Your Job Search

An Ironic benefit of Being Unemployed

While no one wants to be out of work, at least it looks like there is a little relief from the tax man. From WINK News Now in Florida:

With tax season approaching, it's time to take a close look at what's deductible, and what's not, especially if you have been hunting for a job. Unemployment doesn't necessarily mean you're exempt from filing income tax returns. The good news is, your job search may be tax-deductible.